Denver Zoo Faces Lawsuit Over Faulty Sea Lion Exhibit

The Denver Zoo's Schlessman Shores exhibit, which opened in June 2025, was envisioned as a modern habitat for its California sea lions, replacing the older Northern Shores exhibit. The renovation project, costing $19 million, aimed to create a state-of-the-art environment with improved viewing areas and advanced life support systems. However, the lawsuit filed by the DZF paints a different picture, alleging a series of critical failures in both the design and construction phases.

BRS Architecture, the design firm, is accused of multiple design flaws, including failing to design the pool water level to original specifications, which resulted in construction delays and additional costs. The lawsuit also alleges that BRS failed to specify appropriate caging and metal hardware, leading to rust, and that they failed to meet original specifications, resulting in a reduced pool size. Vertix Builders, the construction company, is accused of poor workmanship, resulting in active water seeping through cracks, sump pumps not functioning, and cracking in the main and lower beaches. The lawsuit also claims that the upper and lower pools are leaking, and that there is caulking failure with large gaps.

The Denver Zoo is seeking damages from both companies to cover the costs of repairing the defects and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the facility. The lawsuit underscores the importance of thorough design and quality construction in creating animal habitats that are safe, healthy, and sustainable.

The Denver Zoo states that there are no immediate health or safety concerns for the animals.

The zoo has filed a lawsuit against the design and construction firms and is committed to resolving the matter as efficiently as possible.

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